[Harry!]

http://www.showbizspy.com/

Leon Jackson’s ‘When You Believe’, a cover of Mariah Carey’s version, has shot up the charts to make it 2007’s Christmas No.1. But does the X Factor winner deserve the spot? Well, I’d rather listen to Leona Lewis any day; I could even stretch to preferring ‘The Millennium Prayer’ by Cliff Richard.

The truth is, the ‘manufactured’ pop star Mr Leon Jackson has no/little talent. His rendition of the song at the end of the series was a weary, nervous wreck. Maybe he was shocked of winning such a high profile competition when he only wanted to sing for a laugh. Or does that just define this year’s X Factor competition?

Through the competition, he was rightfully slated by Simon Cowell for his ‘lack of charisma’, yet the Scot still got the phone votes from the ladies (and gay men). So, talent doesn’t win through this year, after such a promising talent Nicki Evans, a woman who Sharon Osbourne tipped as the righteous winner. She isn’t so well off, and arguably that is what the competition is all about.

The magic about watching Spring’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ with Paul Potts winning the competition was that it was a dramatic change in the man’s life. This Leon Jackson will float into the charts for a few weeks, go to university and never be seen again. How can the public be so stupid?

Rhydian Roberts, this year’s Runner-Up, had a much better voice and thoroughly deserved a place as the X Factor winner. The Welshman was consistent and even brought Dannii Minogue to tears, however other sources say that that is all too easy.

All in all, is this another brick in the wall for the industry?

[andybigbro]

Yes i think he does, i know loads of people who are supporting him, his voice is different adn will do well in the music charts, i can imagine so

[Captain.Remy]

He has to make a stunning album because he's generic. But good luck anyway.

[GiRTh]

Not a chance., There are other artists who do what he does alot better than he does it. He needs to find his own identity and not just be another MIchal Buble/Harry Conick Jnr. Ray was the same last year. He didn't last

[Arneldo]

That article is load of rubbish, and my guess is that it's from a bitter fan who didn't even bother to vote. People cannot sit back and complain about the result if they didn't even bother to vote for their favourite. Leon has many fans, and not just girls and gay guys, I think people who say this are very narrow minded. He has a great talent, and he won fair and square. Big international artists such as Celine Dion and Michael Buble have shown there support towards him. He may not have the 5 years classical training that Rhydian has but that doesn't mean he can't have a big and successful career. Shayne was the best of his series, Leona of hers and the public decided that Leon was the best of his series. I think he has a great, distinctive voice, and very different from previous X Factor winners. He may not have great charisma, but did Leona? He is only 19 and winning this show, I think, will do him much better then if Rhydian had won. Leon can now learn and grow - People forget this guy only started singing in February.

[GiRTh]

Leona has exceptional talent so her lack of charisma didn't matter. Leon is a one trick pony. He produced only one performance of the whole series that was better than decent. He needs a lot of training to become any kind of marketable male vocalist with a future. He's no where near the singer that either Ben Mills or Andy Abrahams are and like them he'll have some succes but it wont be long term. He just doesn't have the talent.

[Arneldo]

Originally posted by GiRTh
Leona has exceptional talent so her lack of charisma didn't matter. Leon is a one trick pony. He produced only one performance of the whole series that was better than decent. He needs a lot of training to become any kind of marketable male vocalist with a future. He's no where near the singer that either Ben Mills or Andy Abrahams are and like them he'll have some succes but it wont be long term. He just doesn't have the talent.

A lot of people do think he has the talent, other wise he wouldn't have won. I think people underestimate his fan base and support group (and hot just girls, gays and scots). I'm a Leon fan, but I'm saying he is going to have number 1 after number 1, I think the backlash went against him. But I think, hope, that he will have a successful career. I think it might take longer then they likes of Shayne but that doesn't mean he can't be as big as him in the future. He has the deal, all he and Simon have to do now is get it right. He has said that he doesn't want to stick to the jazz type music, he can do better.

[GiRTh]

I think his future lies with the swing. I dont see what else he can do,. Judging by his performances on X-Factor, he's not a born performer - On stage he's certainly no Robbie Williams - so he's going to have to rely on his vocal talent, which I think are extremely limited. I simply do not see where he can have future. If he outsells Shayne Ward I will be stunned.

[Kevin]

Does Leon Jackson have a future in the music industry?

Hopefully not.

[Arneldo]

Originally posted by GiRTh
I think his future lies with the swing. I dont see what else he can do,. Judging by his performances on X-Factor, he's not a born performer - On stage he's certainly no Robbie Williams - so he's going to have to rely on his vocal talent, which I think are extremely limited. I simply do not see where he can have future. If he outsells Shayne Ward I will be stunned.

I doubt he will out sellf Shayne Ward, not with "When You Believe", but I think a reason why it didn't sell more has to do with the ITunes cock-up.

[GiRTh]

Another thing, there isn't much of a fuss about Leon. With Leona last year there was quite a build up of anticipation as to how her career was going to pan out. There isn't that kind of fuss with Leon - the biggest fuss is wheeher he actually won the competition - I dont think his next single will get to number one if is doesn't then I'd say he was already on the way down if it does then he may have a chance.

[Z]

I think he does have a future in the music industry. I have my reservations, but I think if he's managed by the right people, properly, he'll do very well. He was on the radio earlier - first time I'd heard it on the radio (though I rarely listen to it) and I think he's actually got quite a good voice. I thought the choice in winner's song was completely against Leon's style, they were clearly expecting Rhydian, Niki and Same Difference to make the final, so he's done well with what he's got. I think that people are going to get bored of him, unless he changes his style.

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by Z
I think he does have a future in the music industry. I have my reservations, but I think if he's managed by the right people, properly, he'll do very well. He was on the radio earlier - first time I'd heard it on the radio (though I rarely listen to it) and I think he's actually got quite a good voice. I thought the choice in winner's song was completely against Leon's style, they were clearly expecting Rhydian, Niki and Same Difference to make the final, so he's done well with what he's got. I think that people are going to get bored of him, unless he changes his style.

He doesn't have the talent. This is why I've been banging on about whether x-factor is still a talent contest. He produced only one decent performance in the whole series. Last year, the fuss was about how far Leona could go in the busness. This year we're wondering whether this bloke has a future at all and also whether he actually won the competition. I think the backlash is waiting to happen. I really dont see how he is going to pick up new fans.

[Z]

He got better towards the end - from Relight My Fire onwards, I thought he was acceptable ranging to very good, depending on the performance. He was faultless on the final show, I don't think anybody can really criticise any of the finalists on the last show - they were all fantastic.

I think a lot of the discussion about Leon's career stems from the fact he upset Rhydian by winning. I think he has talent, I think he can have a pop career - albeit not as successful as Shayne or Leona - but it depends on how his career is managed. If it's like Steve Brookstein's, he's got no chance.

[GiRTh]

I'm not so sure. If I started a poll asking who was the best of the final 12? I bet you not only will Leon not win but I doubt he'd come second . If he was not one of the best of the final 12 then he can't have that much talent.


I've been banging on about how talent is more important for ages but it seems that the public have voted for a highly marketable young man, likeable and the young girls love him too but he doesn't have the vocal chops to stand alongside any great singer. I doubt if people are waking up, listening to Leons single and wondering what a great voice he has. He simply doesn't have it. He cant compete, talent wise, alongside Justin, Robbie, Michael Buble, Lemarr....The list goes on. I could even manetion Shayne Ward. I dont see where his new fans are going to come from.

[Z]

Originally posted by GiRTh
I'm not so sure. If I started a poll asking who was the best of the final 12? I bet you not only will Leon not win but I doubt he'd come second . If he was not one of the best of the final 12 then he can't have that much talent.


I've been banging on about how talent is more important for ages but it seems that the public have voted for a highly marketable young man, likeable and the young girls love him too but he doesn't have the vocal chops to stand alongside any great singer. I doubt if people are waking up, listening to Leons single and wondering what a great voice he has. He simply doesn't have it. He cant compete, talent wise, alongside Justin, Robbie, Michael Buble, Lemarr....The list goes on. I could even manetion Shayne Ward. I dont see where his new fans are going to come from.

Quite honestly, I'd rank him high up the list - but not at number one. I feel that in terms of singing ability, Rhydian, Niki and Kimberley were better contestants. However, it's never going to be about singing ability alone - as much as we'd like it to. You can draw parellels with the American Idol competitions, but then there is much more scope over there (country, rap and rock are just as popular as pop music, if not moreso) than here, I think that as long as there are young girls with access to phones, we are going to end up with predominately male finalists and winners. Leona is obviously in a class of her own, but other than Leona, has there really been a female whose managed to compete with male winners? I don't think the X Factor winner necessarily needs to be really talented, they could be pretty average and still get a couple of number 1 singles. I think Leon can do better than that, because I think he's talented, but obviously not everyone will agree with me on that.

[GiRTh]

I keep going back to Maria Lawson. I thoguth she was good it was just unfortunate that Sharon was her mentor. I agree that it's a sorry state of affairs when the young girls of Britain are dictating that marketability is more of a factor than talent but I guess I have to put up with that. I'm not sure I'm going to watch the show with any kind of surprise any more. This series has truly been an eye opener.

[Z]

Originally posted by GiRTh
I keep going back to Maria Lawson. I thoguth she was good it was just unfortunate that Sharon was her mentor. I agree that it's a sorry state of affairs when the young girls of Britain are dictating that marketability is more of a factor than talent but I guess I have to put up with that. I'm not sure I'm going to watch the show with any kind of surprise any more. This series has truly been an eye opener.

Maria's the perfect example of it, I agree. I actually think Sharon's a good mentor - she needs to be given the Boys category in two series' time (not next series - Simon's really pushing for a group to win) and I reckon she'd win it.

However, I think marketability is a good point to vote for people on. I don't completely like the concept of it - seeing Shayne Ward win was painful to watch - he happened to be good looking with an above average voice, and he won. I wanted Hope to win this year, but as soon as they were in the bottom two in Week 3 I knew they weren't going to win it. I'm surprised they got as far as they did, and based on talent, they should have gone over Beverley. But if you were asked who would make the better pop act - the winner would be Hope every time. That's the kind of marketability I find acceptable.